Almasi Brings Global Theatre Experts to Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe’s creative arts sector is receiving a major international boost as acclaimed theatre and screen professionals Scott Miller and Stephen Belber lead an intensive programme aimed at developing the country’s next generation of performers, playwrights and screenwriters.
The two internationally respected practitioners are in Harare for a series of exclusive workshops hosted by Almasi Collaborative Arts. The workshops have been running from 13 July 2026 and will end on 25 July.
These form part of the organisation’s year-round arts development programme ahead of its flagship Africa Voices Now! 2026 festival.
The initiative brings world-class expertise directly to Zimbabwean creatives, with a carefully selected group of entertainment industry professionals invited to participate in the intensive training programme.
International expertise comes to Harare
The workshops are designed to strengthen the technical and creative skills of Zimbabwean artists while building momentum towards Africa Voices Now! 2026, a festival that seeks to showcase original Zimbabwean productions and position local talent on the international stage.
Scott Miller will facilitate Acting & Voice, while Stephen Belber will lead Writing for Stage & Screen, with sessions taking place at The Friendship Bench and The Jasen Mpepho Little Theatre.
The simultaneous programmes offer participants an opportunity to refine both performance and storytelling skills under internationally recognised mentors with decades of professional experience.
Stephen Belber brings Hollywood and Broadway experience
Belber’s participation is expected to be one of the highlights of the programme, given his extensive career spanning theatre, television and film.
The award-winning playwright, screenwriter and director has had his work staged on Broadway and in more than 25 countries, establishing himself as one of the most respected contemporary voices in dramatic writing.
His theatre portfolio includes acclaimed productions such as Match, Tape, McReele, Fault Lines and The Power of Duff, while his screenwriting credits extend to The Laramie Project, O.G., and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
More recently, Belber created and served as showrunner for the Netflix thriller The Madness, further cementing his reputation in international television.
His feature film work also includes Match, starring Sir Patrick Stewart and Carla Gugino, alongside Management, featuring Jennifer Aniston and Woody Harrelson.
For Zimbabwean writers, the workshop represents a rare opportunity to receive direct mentorship from a professional whose work has successfully transitioned between stage and screen.
Scott Miller to focus on voice and performance
Leading the Acting & Voice programme is Scott Miller, a professor at New York University’s Tisch Graduate Acting Program and founder of the internationally recognised mVm Miller Voice Method.
Miller has spent more than four decades coaching professionals across theatre, film, broadcasting, education and leadership development.
His broad professional background extends beyond performance into producing, directing, law, professional sports and executive communication, allowing him to bring a multidisciplinary perspective to actor training.
His workshops are expected to concentrate on developing vocal technique, physical presence, communication and performance skills that are increasingly essential for artists working across theatre, television and digital media.
The Acting & Voice programme has been running from 13 July and will culminate in a public showcase on 25 July, where participants will demonstrate the skills developed during the intensive training.
Strengthening Zimbabwe’s creative industry
Almasi Collaborative Arts says the workshops form part of a broader strategy aimed at professionalising Zimbabwe’s creative sector and creating sustainable pathways for emerging artists.
The organisation believes that exposing local practitioners to internationally recognised methods and standards will strengthen the country’s theatre and film industries while encouraging the development of authentic Zimbabwean stories.
Associate Artistic Director Zaza Muchemwa said the programme reflects Almasi’s long-term commitment to nurturing local talent.
“Zimbabwe has extraordinary artists, and this programme is about creating the conditions for that talent to grow, compete, and lead,” Muchemwa said.
“Bringing practitioners of Scott Miller and Stephen Belber’s calibre into this process is part of ensuring that Zimbabwean artists are engaging world-class standards while developing their own voices.”
The approach aligns with a growing movement across Africa to invest not only in artistic production but also in professional training that enables creatives to compete in increasingly global entertainment markets.
Building towards Africa Voices Now! 2026
The July intensives are only one component of Almasi Collaborative Arts’ wider programme leading to Africa Voices Now! 2026, which has become the organisation’s flagship platform for showcasing new Zimbabwean theatre.
The festival represents the culmination of a year-long calendar that includes workshops, staged readings, creative intensives and public presentations.
Rather than functioning solely as an annual showcase, Africa Voices Now! has been designed as a structured development pipeline, helping artists progress from training and script development to professional production and international exposure.
By combining education with performance opportunities, Almasi aims to strengthen Zimbabwe’s theatre and screen ecosystem while creating greater visibility for locally produced work.
A platform for Zimbabwean stories
The emphasis on original Zimbabwean productions reflects a broader ambition to elevate African narratives within global theatre and film.
As international demand for authentic African storytelling continues to grow through streaming platforms, international festivals and co-production opportunities, initiatives such as Africa Voices Now! seek to equip Zimbabwean creatives with both the artistic and professional skills required to participate in those markets.
The programme also reinforces the importance of sustained investment in creative education, recognising that internationally competitive productions begin with rigorous training and mentorship.
For the selected participants, the workshops provide an opportunity to engage directly with internationally respected practitioners whose careers span Broadway, Hollywood, major television productions and some of the world’s leading performing arts institutions.
Why the programme matters
Zimbabwe has long produced talented actors, playwrights and filmmakers whose work has earned recognition both locally and internationally.
However, access to specialised professional training from globally established practitioners has often been limited.
By bringing internationally acclaimed experts directly to Harare, Almasi Collaborative Arts is helping bridge that gap, offering local creatives exposure to industry standards, contemporary techniques and practical insights drawn from successful international careers.
As preparations continue for Africa Voices Now! 2026, the July workshops represent another significant step in strengthening Zimbabwe’s creative industries and positioning the country’s theatre and screen professionals for greater opportunities on the global stage.
